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WATCH: Campus journalists on why press freedom matters

In this video for World Press Freedom Day 2018, campus journalists from different universities in Metro Manila share with Rappler their thoughts on the importance of campus journalism and press freedom

For World Press Freedom Day on Thursday, May 3, several campus journalists from different universities in Metro Manila shared with Rappler their thoughts on why campus journalism and press freedom is important in an era of fake news and disinformation.

For Aica Escarez, a 20-year-old student from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), campus journalism honed her skills and her passion for communication.

"As a student...simula nung elementary (since elementary), I've been a managing editor of a newspaper, and this is how I saw the world, how I started my passion in communication," Escarez told Rappler.

"This is where I saw that there are lots of problems that can be addressed by opening the eyes of the people," she added.

This was echoed by Franco Luna, a campus journalist from the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), who said that campus journalism is why he has come to believe in the potential of the youth.

"I've seen how campus journalism triggers critical thinking on campus," he said. "[Freedom of the press and freedom of expression] help people make informed decisions by themselves," Luna added.

Several students also noted how campus journalism can shape public opinion, and how this allows them to think critically about issues that are important to the country.

The spread of fake news and disinformation has risen exponentially in recent years because of social media. These worldwide trends have posed a threat to the state of democracy in different countries, including the Philippines.

"I believe that it can serve as a training and a learning ground for us to be aware of the social issues that we encounter nowadays such as misinformation, disinformation," said Kristina Hernandez, 17, from San Beda University Manila. (READ: Journalists should always stand up against fake information)

For Flint Osric Gorospe, a campus journalist from Polytechnic University of the Philippines Manila, press freedom is important in unveiling the truth.

Crissel Tenolete, 19, from UPLB, believes that an attack on media outlets is also an attack on the country's democracy. She asked her fellow students and campus journalists to take a stand against these media attacks.

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Welcome to Rappler, a social news network where stories inspire community engagement and digitally fuelled actions for social change. Rappler comes from the root words "rap" (to discuss) + "ripple" (to make waves).